TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Ninth Coast Guard District commander will join the tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to formally sign a memorandum of understanding between the Coast Guard and the Grand Traverse Band during a ceremony scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Eagle’s Creek Conference Room at the Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge in Peshawbestown, Mich.

Ninth District Commander Rear Adm. Mike Parks and Tribal Chairman Derek J. Bailey are entering into the memorandum of understanding to further enhance cultural, operational and community coordination. Also present will be Cmdr. Jon Spaner, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City.

The signing of the MOU represents a unique opportunity to formalize the nation-to-nation cooperation between the Coast Guard and Grand Traverse Band and is intended to solidify an enduring relationship for decades to come. The agreement establishes consensus guidelines necessary to succeed over the long-term and is also intended to serve as a model for cooperation between other sovereign Tribal authorities and Coast Guard leaders.